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(CNS): The UPM government will not remove scientists from the National Conservation Council or weaken the National Conservation Act in any way, Prime Minister Juliana O’Connor-Connolly said at a press conference on Friday. However, she also said changes will be made to the legislation and an amendment will be published next week, but she did not explain the nature of those changes.
Although a source told CNS that the drafting note does include a provision allowing the Cabinet to waive environmental impact assessment requirements for public projects, the prime minister stressed that there are no plans to weaken the law. If true, this would indicate that this will not be included in the amendment.
After a series of closed-door meetings over the past few weeks, According to a CNS report last monthSince 2011, UPM has been trying to agree a series of changes to conservation laws under pressure from the development lobby.
Since before the NCA was enacted, some powerful landowners and developers have been trying to undermine the law’s ability to protect vital natural resources and restrict the worst forms of development. They have done so by spreading misinformation about the law, particularly about the powers it gives to the NCC and the director of the Department of Environment.
The law is currently the only means of mitigating the effects of climate change on the Cayman Islands, as the UPM government has failed to adopt the climate change policies of the PACT government. Wayne Panton, who served as premier during the PACT government until it was ousted last October, has expressed frustration with the way UPM has handled the conservation law, for which he successfully campaigned. Unanimous support in 2013 in Parliament (then known as the Legislative Assembly).
Scientists believe climate change played a major role in the formation of Hurricane Beryl, the strongest storm to form in the first month of the Atlantic hurricane season. The storm’s rapid intensification was largely due to extremely warm sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic and Caribbean Seas, which helped Beryl withstand wind shear that would otherwise weaken a storm.
With the upcoming busy season and the potential for even hotter and wetter weather this summer, the Cayman Islands needs strong legislation to mitigate the effects of rising sea levels, flooding and hurricanes. Remaining wetlands must be protected as they are key to mitigating flooding and storm surges and preventing developers from building too close to the ocean, which maximizes profits but causes beach erosion.
Responding to questions from CNS during a news conference following Hurricane Beryl, O’Connor-Connolly said the government would not remove scientists from the NCC or weaken the law.
But in answer Cayman CompassShe said the law was being amended and instructions for drafting it had been sent to the Attorney General’s Chambers. She said the CIG was expected to receive the draft bill within the next seven days.
The prime minister said the bill would be tabled if the parliamentary session – originally scheduled for Friday but postponed by the storm – convenes next week as she suggested rumours of a change in the law were incorrect.
When she responded to a question from CNS about weakening the law, O’Connor-Connolly stressed that this was not true “in any way.” “We didn’t do that, so it’s a simple fact check. You heard me,” said the premier, who prides herself on her Christian credentials and honesty.
See below for CIGTV’s post-hurricane press conference:
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